Clever Serving Ideas: Acrylic Serving Tray

Published July 19, 2012

We all have an inventive friend. Someone who inspires us with their entertaining ideas and unique ways of presenting the evenings’ meal. Recently I came upon a wonderful way to serve appetizers at a party. The materials required to assemble this idea are simple and the process is very easy. Choose between a real plate of glass or Plexiglas for your look.

Materials

1 wood or acrylic-serving tray (with a slight depth of ½” to 1”)

*Look for these simple trays at Dollar Stores and Department Stores

1 custom cut piece of glass or Plexiglas (to fit on top of the tray or on the inside edge)

Flowers, cinnamon sticks or other display materials

Clean the inside of the tray and place your display materials. Wash the glass plate with soap and water and place on top of the tray. Display your food on top.

Slate

Have you just completed a recent renovation? If so, you may have some leftover pieces of slate. These pieces are wonderful for serving pieces of cheese and fruit. The rustic surface is perfect for highlighting the different choices you are serving and for added effect you can write the names of the cheese directly on the slate with chalk. Use assorted slate pieces and mix them up for variety. This is a great idea for a wine and cheese party.

Ice Bowl

This is an old idea but a good one. It’s wonderful for serving fresh fruit or salad. You will require two bowls: one 8” in diameter and one that is 6” in diameter. Place a layer of ice cubes inside the 8” bowl and set the 6” bowl inside to fit. Fill the perimeter of the bowl with water and add fresh flowers or leaves. Place the bowls in the freezer for 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply put the frozen bowl in warm water for a few seconds to loosen the molds. Display the ice bowl on top of a tray that will collect the water during the evening and fill with fresh fruit.

Always look for creative containers when you are out and about. Baskets, garden pots and concrete urns are just a few examples of ideas that will have you thinking “outside the box” when it comes to presenting food at your next party.

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Barb Lunter Home Ideas is the blog of Barb Lunter, North Shore writer. Barb Lunter runs Blu Dog Staging & Redesign and a freelance writer who lives in West Vancouver.